Forbes.com: The Highest-Salaried NFL Players

Philip Rivers

Quarterback - San Diego Chargers2012 Salary: $15.3 million

Rivers’ passer rating dropped to 88.7 last year after three straight years of 100-plus. The Chargers hope it’s not the start of a decline - their deal with the 31-year-old runs for four more years. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

More from this Slideshow

The Highest - Sa...Passers and pass rushers dominate the list of those making big bucks. These ten players will pull in the most this season. Figures are based on salary and bonus money a player is due in 2012, not annual averages. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Premier pass rusher bounced back from an injury riddled 2010 season to record 9.5 sacks in 14 starts last year. Dumervil is owed $61 million through 2015, of which $43 million is guaranteed. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Rivers’ passer rating dropped to 88.7 last year after three straight years of 100-plus. The Chargers hope it’s not the start of a decline - their deal with the 31-year-old runs for four more years. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Tamba HaliDefensive End - Kansas City Chiefs2012 Salary: $14.5 million

A first round pick out of Penn State in 2006, Hali has started 95 of a possible 96 career games. His five-year $57.5 million contract signed in 2011 peaks in the second and third seasons (2012 and 2013). (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

The fourth overall pick two years ago out of Oklahoma signed for $60 million over six years. Williams got hit with a suspension last year for flunking drug tests - now he’s day-to-day in training camp with a bruised foot. Is this the man the Skins want protecting RG3’s blind side? (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)